Turin – Italy | Awarded as European Capital of Smart Tourism

 

Turin, city and capital of the Piedmont region, relevant cultural and business hub in northern Italy located on the banks of the Po River with the Alps rise to the northwest of its centre, well known for its, superb baroque architecture, large squares highlighted by elegant cafes boasting stylish boulevards flanking splendid parks has just been awarded with the title of European Capital of Smart Tourism for 2025,  an award promoted by the European Commission from a shortlist of 21 candidates from 10 countries.

The Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè on the recent award ceremony in Turin commented that this title undoubtedly makes the Piedmontese capital an emblem of Italian excellence in promoting accessibility, sustainability, digital innovation and cultural heritage site within the tourism ecosystem.

This is an award that not only rewards the sustainable and innovative solutions formulated by the winning city, but also further strengthens the Italy brand in the world, its visibility, adding another prominent identity element to an already unique tourist offer.

The representative of Turin Tourism and province, the body responsible for promoting the city as a destination for leisure tourism and MICE were among the guests of the 16th edition of BTO – Be Travel Onlife.

Speaking during the second day of work the DG Tourism Turin and Province, Marcella Gaspardone illustrated the BTO audience some of the most recent initiatives of the city, dor the promotion of tourism, including an experimental, innovative project that involves the installation of two interactive totems that interact with tourists to improve the experience of visitors through information and stories related to Turin's heritage.

The city's new official tourism website was also presented, an innovative platdorm that aims to be a fundamental digital reference point for visitors but also a support tool for local operators, promoting the marketing of Turin's tourist offer.

As a demonstration of the constant commitment to innovation, the city of Turin was also the first in Italy to host social bootcamps for tourism promotion, organized bt the influencers of the tourism sector "Mi Prendo e ti porto via".

These contests involved a series of content creators with the aim of creating an authentic and creative narrative of the city and enhancing the local territory, reaching a wider audience through digital channels.

The DG of Tourism Turin and Province, Marcella Gaspardone said the participation of the body in BTO 2024 confirms rhe city's vocation as a laboratory of innovation, capable of combining tradition, technology and contemporary approach to tourism promotion.

Link - https://smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/shortlisted-torino-italy_en

Eindhoven – The Netherlands | City’s Design Routes Launch and Promotion

 

Eindhoven, relevant city located in the province of North Brabant in the south Netherlands, part of the natural region the Campine, well known as a technology and design hub, birthplace of the famed Philips Electronics company, multinational conglomerate corporation founded in 1891 decided to launch and promote city’s design routes, developing city tours to discover the most surprising design and the latest developments in the sector.

The Dutch city boasts the Design Academy Eindhoven, a famed interdisciplinary educational, superior, insititute for art, architecture and one of the world's leading design schools, widely regarded and recognised internationally for its forward and renowned professors and alumni.

From architecture to social design projects, these design routes will cover must - see design destination but also hidden gems.

Strijp Design Route

The Strijp Design Route is intended for all design lovers but also for those who can get acquainted with the discipline that deals with the design of physical, digital or conceptual objects, through the drafting of a project that combines functionality and aesthetics.

This route that will cover technology and design highlights in the Strijp - S, Strijp - T and also Strijp - R where is situated the RK complex and the former Philips ceramic workshop, neighbourhoods, the three industrial areas that Philips developed between the 1920s and 1950s discovering the creative, design, innovation district of the Heindhoven, where the former Philips industrial plant has grown into a vibrant urban area that offers a blend of living, learning, working and all kind of leisure facilitie that lead to casual meetings.

The factories are gone, but along this design route the visitor will find a wealth of exhibitions, design studios, artists's workshops, creative spots and innovative companies,very interesting paths with protagonists, talent, creativity, imagination and innovation.

Design Route City Center

When people think of design in Eindhoven, Strijp is a word which represents a sort of icon and immediatlely comes to mind and rightly so, as the old Philips factories are full of design.

However, design lovers can also enjoy plenty of options in and around the city center which boast hidden gems in the shopping district, around the central station and on the campus of the Technical University in city's areas where the interaction between cultural heritage, architecture, contemporary design and urban planning is greatly visible in a captivating blend able to surprise everyone.

Link -  https://www.expreso.info/noticias/internacional/103871_eindhoven_pone_en_marcha_las_rutas_del_diseno

Ras Al Khaimah – United Arab Emirates | World's First City for Exapts

 

Ras Al Khaimah, located in the northwestern art of the United Arab Emirates along the coast of the Persian Gulf, capital of the Emirate of Ra's al – Khaymah where visitors can experience sundower boat rides, beachside barbecue, dinner in the desert, fine brunches ad award - winning dining under the stars has achieved a milestone becoming a leading destination to live, work, explore and enjoying memorable experiences.

This has been concluded by obtaining the first position in a survey of the best destinations in the world for expats carried out by InterNations, the leading and world's largest network and guide for expats in 420 cities in 166 countries with more than 5.4 million menbers.

The United Arab Emirates has taken the top stop out of 53 cities in the Expat Essential Index conducted by InterNations as part of its 2024 Expat Insider report based on four categories.

These categories are :

·       Administration – Ease of obraining a visa, managing local bureaucracy, opening a bank account.

·       Housing – Housing affordability, ease of finding accommodation.

·       Digital life – Availability of online utilities, high – speed internet.

·       Language – Ease of integration without speaking the local language.

This International recognition highlights Ras Al Khaimah's commitment to creating an exceptional living and working environment for its diverse and growing expat community, in line with the vision of His Highness Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of UAE Supreme Council and ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.

The Director General of the Government Media Office of Ras Al Khaimah Heba Fatani said that this achievement reflects the country's dedication to create a safe, welcoming and thriving community that attracts people from all around the world.

Ras Al Khaimah's unique blend of modern infrastructure, spectacular natural surroundings, rich history and culture, thriving business and tourism landscapes contribute to its reputation as a leading destination for expats who wish to live and work or establish business in this city.

Link

https://www.expreso.info/index.php/noticias/internacional/103867_ras_al_khaimah_primera_ciudad_del_mundo_para_expatriados